Trash collector for drive-in theaters

ABSTRACT

A receptacle having an open top and a perforate bottom portion has one end of a mounting bracket pivotally secured to a side wall thereof adjacent the open top. The other end of the bracket is adjustably secured to a vertical supporting post of a speaker system for drive-in theaters and the like. The mounting bracket includes upwardly diverging leg portions which mount the receptacle in a manner to support the lowermost edge thereof against the supporting post of the speaker system and for pivotal movements such that the receptacle clears the speaker mechanism mounted at the upper end of the post when the receptacle is pivotally inverted.

Unite States atent Keesling Sept. 30, 1975 TRASH COLLECTOR FOR DRIVE-1N THEATERS Primary ExaminerMarion Parsons, Jr.

Assistant E.\'aminerRobert A. Hafer [76] Inventor Kenneth Keeslmg Albert Attorney, Agent. or FirmMerchant, Gould, Smith &

Lea, Mmn. 56007 Ede" 22 Filed: Nov. 15, 1973 Appl. No.: 416,088

US. Cl 220/18; 220/1 R; 220/DIG 6;

Int. Cl. B651) 25/24 Field of Search 248/D1G. 7, 146, 130, 133,

248/137; 211/71, 81; 220/18, 30, 1 R, DIGv 6 References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS Jones 248/137 Richard 1. 248/D1GZ 7 Drunen 1 1 248/D1G. 7 Brooks.... 248/DIG. 7

Smith H 248/146 Stewart 248/129 5 7 ABSTRACT A receptacle having an open top and a perforate bottom portion has one end of a mounting bracket pivotally secured to a side wall thereof adjacent the open top. The other end of the bracket is adjustably secured to a vertical supporting post of a speaker system for drive-in theaters and the like. The mounting bracket includes upwardly diverging leg portions which mount the receptacle in a manner to support the lowermost edge thereof against the supporting post of the speaker system and for pivotal movements such that the receptacle clears the speaker mechanism mounted at the upper end of the post when the receptacle is pivotally inverted.

4 Claims, 5 Drawing Figures US. Patent Sept. 30,1975 3,908,853

TRASH COLLECTOR FOR DRIVE-IN THEATERS BACKGROUND OF THE INv NTTO The present invention is directed generally to litter receptacles and more specifically is concerned with a trash collector for drive-in theaters and the like.

A particular problem of drive-in theaters has been that .patrons thereof are prone to dispense litter from confections, soft drinks, food wrappers. etc. through the windows of their vehicles directly onto the ground. Under windy conditions the lighter portions of this litter, such as paper wrappers, are often transported by the wind to neighboring areas. This litter must be policed from the area each day, which requires considerable time, effort and expense. This practice of littering has, in fact, been inadvertently encouraged since no suitable inexpensive trash collector has heretofore been provided which is readily available to the occupants of the vehicles present at the drive-in theater.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has for its primary object the provision of a trash collector which is inexpensive to manufacture and durable in use.

Another object of the present invention is the provision of a device of the Class above described which can be easily mounted on a speaker system so as to be readily available to occupants of two adjacent vehicles, and which can be easily emptied subsequent to use thereof.

To this end. a receptacle having an open top and a perforate bottom portion has one leg portion of a generally C-shaped mounting bracket pivotally secured to the receptacle adjacent the open top thereof. The other leg of the C-shaped mounting bracket is secured to the vertical supporting post of a speaker system for drive-in theaters and the like so as to be vertically adjustable relative thereto. A connecting portion, extending between one end of each of the leg portions, mounts the leg portions to diverge upwardly whereby ajoin portion of the side wall and the bottom wall of the receptacle is disposed in close supporting proximity to or directly against the supporting post. and whereby the receptacle may be pivoted to an inverted position without engaging the speaker mechanism mounted at the upper end of the supporting post. A perforate portion is provided at the join portion generally opposite the pivotal mounting of the mounting bracket for draining liquids from the receptacle.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a view in perspective of a trash collector constructed in accordaneewith the present invention and mounted to the supporting post of a speaker system for drive-in theaters and the like;

FIG. 2 is a view in horizontal section as seen generally from the line 2-2 of FIG. 1, on an enlarged scale;

FIG. 3 is a view in vertical section as seen generally from the line 3-3 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a view in exploded perspective of a mounting bracket of the present invention showing pivotal connection mechanism associated therewith; and

FIG. 5 is a view in perspective of a slightly modified version of the mounting bracket of FIG. 4.

Referring to the drawings, FIG. .1 illustrates a trash -5 .collector identified generally by the numeral 10. Trash collector is of a type suitable for use at a speaker system 11 normally employed'at drive-in theaters and the like. Typically, a plurality. of these. speaker systems 11 are spaced along a plurality ofarcuaterows suitably situatedwith respect to a viewing screen, not shown. Each speaker system 11 is disposed between. two adjacent vehicles. also not shown, and includes'a pair of speaker units 12, 13 supported in suitable brackets 14 carried by the upper end of a verticallyextending supporting post 15; v

The trash collector 10 of the present invention includes a receptacle 16 having an open top 17. Thereceptacle 16 is formedfrom a'plastic material having a relatively thin tubularside wall 18 and a transverse bottom wall 19 joined to a lower edge portion of the tubular side wall 18, the bottom wall 19-'having a perforate portion 20. A peripherally extending, rolled flangeportion 21 reinforces the upper edge of the relatively thin tubular side wall 18. 3 E I T- A 'generally C-shaped mounting bracket '23 is provided for securing the receptacle 16"to thesupporting post 15. with the receptacle 16' spaced from the post 15 and the speaker system 11. The r'n'ountihg' bracket 23 is shown as including spaced leg portions 24, 2'5 and a connecting portion 26 which extends between and connects one end of each of the leg portions 24.;'uOne leg portion 24 has an opening 27 formedtherein.

Securing means in the nature of a threaded bolt 28 is provided for pivotally securing one end of the mounting bracket 23 to the receptacle 16'adjaecnt the open top 17 thereof. The threaded bolt "28' is provided with an enlarged washer 29 which is received Over the bolt 28 and cooperates therewith to provide an enlarged head disposed interiorly of the tubularside wall 18 when the bolt 28 is extendied t'hrough an opening 30 in the side wall 18 and the 'o 'eriing 27 in the l'cg'portion 24. Because the reeeptacle l fi is formed from a relativelylight-weight plastic material, an enlarged washer 31 is interposed between the side wall 18 and the leg portion 24 and cooperates withthe washer 29 to prevent damage to the side wall l8 Rest'r aining means in the nature of a threaded nut 32 engages the bolt 28 between'the leg portions 24, 25 andseeures the threaded bolt 28, .enlarged head 29, receptacle 1 6 and enlarged Washer 13 to the leg portion '24. While the securing means is described as including a threaded bolt. be appreciated that a rivet or the like may provide'an adequate substitute for the-bolt 28.

Mounting means such as a circular clamp 33, secures the other leg 25 to the vertical post 15 for vertical adjustments relative thereto. Clamp 33 includes a pair of U-shaped portions 34, 35. The U-shaped portions 34, encircle the leg portion 26 andpost 15 with the legs of portion 34 projecting through Openings in portion 35. The portions 34, 35 are held in a clamping relationship by means of nuts 36 threadedly engaged on the legs of the portion 34.

v As can be seen particularly in FIGS. 3 4, leg portions 24, 25 diverge upwardly with respect to each other. such that extended planes thereof bisect each other substantially at ajoin portion 22 of the tubular side wall 18 with the bottom wall 19. Because of the light-weight construction of the receptacle 16 as well as the mounting bracket 23 the above discussed diverging relationship of the legs 24, 25 positions the join portion 22 in close proximity tothe post so the receptacle 16 will be engaged against the post 15 when litter or the-like is deposited within the receptacle 16. Thus, additional support is provided for the receptacle 16 under the bur- 'den of the added wei'ght'of the'litter, not-shown. As

shown, particularly in FlG. 3, the diverging relationship of the leg portions 24, also provides an additional feature in that the receptacle 16 may be pivotally moved about the axis of bolt 28 from the full line position to the dotted line position to empty same without interference from the speaker system 11 mounted at the top of the post 15. This would normally present a problem, since the bracket 23 and receptacle 16 are usually secured to the post 15 in close proximity to the speaker systems ll. This relationship exists so the receptacles [6 will be at a convenient height relative to windows of adjacent vehicles as well as at a convenient height for subsequent emptying of the receptacles 16 of each -row of speaker systems into a larger collection container.

FIGS. 1-4 illustrate the mounting bracket 23, as having the leg portions 24, 25 diverging upwardly from the connecting portion This structure positions the mountingbracket 23 so that the legs 24, 25 project upwardlytherefrom with fth leg 25 projecting upwardly through the clamp 33 when the trash collector 10 is mounted on the supporting post 15. However, it may be desirable to have the leg portion 25projecting downwardly through the clamp 33 so that the leg portion 25 does not become disengaged from the clamp 33 during vertical adjustments or if the clamp should become slightly loose. In this respect, FIG. 5 illustrates a slightly modified embodiment of the mounting bracket 23 wherein like parts thereof are indicated by like numerals with a prime mark added. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 5, the mounting bracket 23' includes the leg portions 24, 25 connected at one end by the connecting portion 26'. An open gigzr is formed in the leg portion 24'. While the leg portions 24, 25 diverge upwardly from the connecting portion 26, leg portions 24, 25 diverge upwardly to connecting portion 26' of mounting bracket 23. With this arrangement of parts the mounting bracket 23' is positioned in an inverted relationship with respect to the mounting bracket 23 to mount the bracket 23 with the leg portion 25" project- I ing downwardly through the clamp 33.

Generally speaking, if the receptacle 16 were mounted with its longitudinal axis generally vertically oriented the location of the perforate portion 20 in the slightly tilted the perforate portion 20 is located at the join portion 22 of the bottom wall 19 with the tubular side wall 18 generally opposite the pivotal connection g 4 of the mounting bracket 23 or 23'. This positions the perforate portion 20 at the lowest point of the receptacle 16 to provide adequate drainage of liquids from the receptacle 16, which liquids maycollect therein during periods of rain or when partially filled pop containers are deposited within the receptacle l6. v i

What isclaimed is: v U

l. A trash collector movably fattached to a speaker system having a vertical post disposed adja cent vehicle positions at drive-in theaters and the like, said trash collector comprising:

a. a generally vertical support post in combination with a receptacle, said receptacle including a tubular side wall having an open top, a bottom wall with a perforated bottom portion, and ajoin'portion between said side and bottom walls, the bottom portion of said receptacle movably abutting said vertical post to partially support said receptacle with the tubular side wall generally inclined relative to the vertical post;

b. a mounting bracket for supporting said receptacle on the vertical post in close proximity thereto, said mounting bracket having a generally U-shaped configuration including spaced apart leg portions and a connecting portion extending between said leg portions, one of said leg portions skewed relative to the opposite leg portion such that said reccptacle tubular side wall is inclined relative to the vertical post "when said receptacle is attached thereto;

c. securing means pivotally securing one end of said mounting bracket to the side wall of said receptacle at a single location adjacent said open topthereof, said securing means including the side wall of said receptacle and one of said leg portions of said bracket having openings formed therein, a pivot pin extending through said openings and having an enlarged head disposed ,interiorly of said tubular side wall, and restraining means on said pivot pin between said leg portions, said seeuringmeans allowing said receptacle to be pivoted in two general directions relative to said mounting bracket{ and d. mounting means adapted to secure the other end of said mounting bracket to the vertical post by securing one leg of saidmounting bracket to the vertical post with the 'leg portions extending upwardly from said connecting portion.

2. The structure of claim 1 wherein an enlarged washer-like bearing member is disposed between said one leg portion and said tubular side wall.

3. The structure of .claim 1 wherein said perforated bottom portion is located in said join portion generally opposite from said securing means.

4. The structure of claim 1 wherein downwardly extended planes of said leg portions bisect each other generally at said join portion of said receptacle. 

1. A trash collector movably attached to a speaker system having a vertical post disposed adjacent vehicle positions at drive-in theaters and the like, said trash collector comprising: a. a generally vertical support post in combination with a receptacle, said receptacle including a tubular side wall having an open top, a bottom wall with a perforated bottom portion, and a join portion between said side and bottom walls, the bottom portion of said receptacle movably abutting said vertical post to partially support said receptacle with the tubular side wall generally inclined relative to the vertical post; b. a mounting bracket for supporting said receptacle on the vertical post in close proximity thereto, said mounting bracket having a generally U-shaped configuration including spaced apart leg portionS and a connecting portion extending between said leg portions, one of said leg portions skewed relative to the opposite leg portion such that said receptacle tubular side wall is inclined relative to the vertical post when said receptacle is attached thereto; c. securing means pivotally securing one end of said mounting bracket to the side wall of said receptacle at a single location adjacent said open top thereof, said securing means including the side wall of said receptacle and one of said leg portions of said bracket having openings formed therein, a pivot pin extending through said openings and having an enlarged head disposed interiorly of said tubular side wall, and restraining means on said pivot pin between said leg portions, said securing means allowing said receptacle to be pivoted in two general directions relative to said mounting bracket; and d. mounting means adapted to secure the other end of said mounting bracket to the vertical post by securing one leg of said mounting bracket to the vertical post with the leg portions extending upwardly from said connecting portion.
 2. The structure of claim 1 wherein an enlarged washer-like bearing member is disposed between said one leg portion and said tubular side wall.
 3. The structure of claim 1 wherein said perforated bottom portion is located in said join portion generally opposite from said securing means.
 4. The structure of claim 1 wherein downwardly extended planes of said leg portions bisect each other generally at said join portion of said receptacle. 